SLIDE 1
Hartford Food System
Farmers Market Success in a Low Income Neighborhood
SLIDE 2 Hartford Food System
Founded by national food security expert
Mark Winne and others in response to City of Hartford concerns about food price and availability for poorer residents
35 year dedication to long-term, sustainable
responses to healthy food access in Hartford
Programs and policy work that are root cause
Helped establish the first farmers market in
Hartford in 1978
SLIDE 3
Mission
To fight hunger and improve nutrition for disadvantaged members of the community through sustainable, non-emergency strategies
SLIDE 4
Vision
Be deeply engaged in the food
problems affecting ordinary Hartford residents
Be known as a creative and
competent food security organization
Be willing to chart new directions to
achieve the mission
SLIDE 5
Guiding Principles
Increase access for low-income
people to normal food outlets
Deepen the connection between
consumers and agricultural production
Advance public policies that improve
the affordability and quality of food
SLIDE 6 About Hartford
Diverse population
- Hispanic and Black > 77%
- Growing immigrant populations include Burmese,
Cambodian, and Somali
- Hartford County is much whiter (> 70% Caucasian)
Economically Challenged
- Median Income is less than half of the county overall
- Unemployment 15-17%
- Almost 50% of children live in poverty
SLIDE 7 About Hartford
Health Challenged
- High rates of diet-related diseases
- High rates of childhood obesity (37% of pre-schoolers
- verweight or obese)
- High rates of urban stress and violence
Healthy Food Challenged
- City ranks last among 169 CT towns for population at risk of
food insecurity
- 35% of households with no private transportation
- 1 supermarket and many smaller stores, often with
questionable quality
- Improving farmers market access and growing interest in better
food options
SLIDE 8
Programs
SLIDE 9
Grow Hartford
SLIDE 10
Grow Hartford Youth
SLIDE 11
Other Programs
Healthy Food Retailers North Hartford Community Kitchen Food Policy Commission
SLIDE 12 A progressive City administration created the FarmMarket at the Old State House with its opening day
- n July 19, 1978. Hartford Food System took over the
- peration of the FarmMarkets in 1979, as well as the
expansion of 4 farmers markets in other neighborhoods.
SLIDE 13
Hartford Farmers Markets in 2007
SLIDE 14
North End Farmers Market
Community driven Farmer involvement Site selection process Ongoing support
SLIDE 15
So, How Well Does it Work?
SLIDE 16
Market Day
SLIDE 17
Publicity
SLIDE 18
Special Events
SLIDE 19
Entertainment
SLIDE 20
Materials, Giveaways, and Banners
SLIDE 21 Incentive Benefits!
Farm ers Market Nutrition Benefits
W holesom e W ave Partnership!
SLIDE 22
Results
5 increasingly successful market
seasons
Average daily and overall attendance
almost doubled
Excellent farmer retention and
satisfaction
Patron satisfaction very high
SLIDE 23
Results
New farmers market consortium More city markets and more that are
EBT certified
Special cross-market events Increased use of SNAP & WIC FMPP Grant awards More to come!
SLIDE 24
Questions?
